Wrapping your vehicle builds brand awareness, and it can give your car or van a new lease of life. It’s a great investment, and for that reason, it’s worth ensuring it’s done right. Unfortunately, people often come to us having made mistakes during the design or preparation stages. To make it so that doesn’t happen to you, here’s our take on the biggest vehicle wrapping mistakes, and how you can avoid them.
What are the most common car and van wrapping mistakes?
By taking our advice to avoid the mistakes below, you’ll be in the best position possible on the day of the wrap. It’ll then be up to your installer to work their magic!
Mistake 1: Choosing the cheapest supplier
Everyone loves a great deal, but if your supplier’s prices seem too good to be true, then they’re likely cutting corners in the materials or the installation itself. Wrap companies who use high-quality materials from the best manufacturers (like 3M, Arlon, and Avery Dennison) can’t afford to sell these premium vinyls on the cheap. So, if the costs are especially low, it means the materials probably aren’t built to last.
Our advice? Get multiple quotes and ask each company about the materials they’ll use. If you have an event or brand activation coming up and value speed over durability, then it may be worth going with a cheaper material – but the installer will still need to know what they’re doing!
See how much you can expect to pay in our guide to wrapping costs, which is there to explain the cost factors and help you budget. You can then use our on-screen pricing calculator to get an accurate quote!
Mistake 2: Getting the vehicle template wrong
The vehicle template is where you apply your design to a 2D plan of your vehicle. Unfortunately, some people either try to do it themselves, use the wrong template for their vehicle, or choose a graphic designer who’s never worked on templates before. This can lead to delays, as your wrap company has to spend time setting things right.
A designer with experience in vehicle templates will understand how your wrap will appear in real life and work the design accordingly. They’ll account for the curves in the body work and know how a logo or strapline will look once any sliding doors are opened.
For colour accuracy, you should submit your template in the CMYK format, which is the standard for outdoor printing. Again, your designer will be able to do this for you.
Need some design tips to help you avoid the common vehicle wrapping mistakes? Visit our blog on how to design your vehicle wrap.
Mistake 3: Not preparing the vehicle in advance
Although your installer should clean your car or van on the day, they won’t have time to clear off weeks of mud and grime that’s caked onto the panels or wheel arches. If your vehicle arrives in a bad state, they might waste half a day cleaning it up! Not only will this cause delays, but you might also be charged for the extra work!
Clean your vehicle 24 hours before the wrap, wiping it down with a lint-free cloth. You can use a specialised car shampoo for the job, but whatever you do, avoid waxing it. Wax will need to be removed before any vinyl can be applied, as it’ll stop the wrap from adhering.
Want to make sure your vehicle’s good to go the day before? Check out our tips on vehicle preparation for advice.
Mistake 4: Neglecting the wrap once it's installed
Some people get their vehicles wrapped and then forget to give them the proper care. If you’re allowing mud, bird droppings and rotting leaves to sit on your wrap for days at a time, then it probably won’t last for as long as you’d like. Premium vinyls should survive between 5 and 7 years with the proper care, so it’s highly cost-effective to clean the wrap regularly.
We recommend cleaning the wrap by hand using a non-abrasive detergent. You’ll also want to give matte, chrome, and metallic finishes special attention, as these are easily damaged. Visit our tips on post-installation aftercare to keep your wrap looking its best and to maximise its lifespan.
Bonus: Vehicle wrap dos and don'ts
Here are some extra tips to help you avoid the most common van and car wrapping mistakes:
Do
- Pick one or two strong images that people will remember
- Ask your wrap company for the correct vehicle template
- Proof your completed design and send it to the installer ASAP
- Fix any dents, scratches or rust well before the wrap
- Question any promises about super-quick turnarounds
Don't
- Crowd your wrap with too many fonts, colours or images
- Edit your vehicle template unless you're a graphic designer
- Choose an installer that doesn't have a clean indoor space
- Take your newly wrapped vehicle to an automatic car wash
Our NUMBER ONE tip to avoid vehicle wrap mistakes
Start a conversation with an installer you trust. Any supplier worth your time will be happy to discuss your project in detail and run through the colours, materials and finishes available. They should also answer any questions you have, whether it’s about pick-up and drop-off, if a courtesy car is available, or if they have in-house graphic design services.
Click below for our list of the 10 questions to ask a wrap company. You may have more, but this is a great starting point to help decide if you’ve found the right team for your needs.
